Mnweni hiking in September 2017

Good day all the hikers aboard,
I would like to know if someone knows how high the Mnweni river is currently and if the veld is burnt or green as my wife and I are looking to hike to Shepard's Cave and back to the Mnweni cultural hiking center on the 23rd and 24th of September 2017 and she is a fit and pregnant soon to be mother, so I would like to know how high the river is and if the conditions will suit her as this will also be our first hike in the Mnweni area?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated, I would like to add that we have two years of hiking experience between the both of us and are reasonably fit so the climbs and so on will be fine. I will make sure that her pack does not weigh more than 6-8kg depending on water scarcity.

Please leave some comments on this subject as I would like to make a wise call and be safe with my pregnant wife as this will also be our last single hiking experience together in the mountains.

Thanks you guys

Hi Johannes

Mnweni River should not be any problem for you. The path you'll properly follow is quite a bit higher up in the river bank, cant really image that the river would ever reach the path. You would only have to go down into the river to cross the river when you turn onto the valley leading to Fangs Pass. Sheppard Cave is at the start of this valley.

I was there about 6 weeks ago and there were sections that the felt was burnt, this time of the year you'll likely find some burnt areas.

The hike from the Center to Shepard Cave is a relatively flat and easy, just a long +-6 km Gravel road hike until you reach Mnweni River.

I can send you some GPS tracks if needed.

Regards

Hi Henk, thanks allot for the advice. I am Afrikaans so excuse my grammer and spelling..
I would appreciate the gps tracks very much, how strenuous did you find the hike there and what route did you walk when you were there?

Espee wrote: how strenuous did you find the hike there and what route did you walk when you were there?

Never ask how strenuous a hike is on here.
It's the berg If you go from bottom to top and back down, accept it will be strenuous for us mere mortals.
Most of the guys on this forum is not just mere mortals, pointless asking them that.

Hi Coeta, I was asking on behalf of my pregnant wife... but thanks any way. I will keep that in mind when an experienced guy tells me that it is an easy hike.

Johannes,

I would not say it is strenuous at all up to Shepard Cave, its a relative long hike (about 15km) but its reasonably flat.

The easiest route form the Center would be to follow the main gravel road up to the point where the Mnweni River swerves to the left away from the road. From here you will have to follow the river for about 7 - 8 km, your going to have to search a bit for the cave. I'll send you a GPS co-ordinate of the cave so it should be easy to find it.

Once your there make sure u appreciate the Sunset through the Fangs Valley and the view of Madonna and her Worshipers. Mnweni is where I fell in love with the "Berg", I fell really hard:silly: .

PM me your email address, then I'll send your everything I have.

Regards

no problem with water on that hike , you can follow the river almost all the way (there are some lovely swimming pools).

Just one thing to keep in mind if you are planning to sleep in Shepherds Cave, is that it seems to have been more-or-less permanently occupied as a staging post for smugglers (based on last few times i have been past there).

If its just you and your wife i would recommend one of other other caves in the area that are more off the beaten path, ie 5 star or Mbundini (or maybe even grass cutters).

My 2 cents.

The guys staying at Shepherds Cave are supposed to be local stock theft monitors, and have chosen to use Shepherds Cave as a base instead of the silly small hut they started building at the Rwanqa campsite. They are not using Shepherds Cave full time, but leave all their things there, making it difficult for hikers to use Shepherds Cave even when they are not there.

Although they are supposed to be involved in anti smuggling activities, I cannot vouch for their non involvement in smuggling activities. Clearly the dagga fields outside Shepherds Cave are associated with these guys.

Thank you guys for all the great input and advice, this is truly a great forum and I would suggest it to any hiker out there that wants to learn more about the Drakensberg mountains and it hiking routes.
Be blessed and enjoy the hike!

Hi Espee. We are a group of 6 also going to Mnweni this weekend. We are planning on doing the Mnweni Rockeries loop overnighting at 5 star and Ledgers (or in tents if caves are taken). May see you in the area! All the best!